Nathaniel
The name Nathaniel, which means "gift of God" in Hebrew, is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of John. Nathaniel is recognized as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, although he is also known as Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14). His introduction occurs in John 1:45-51, where Philip finds Nathaniel and tells him about Jesus of Nazareth. Initially skeptical, Nathaniel later expresses profound faith upon meeting Jesus, who reveals His divine nature and foreknowledge by stating, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you" (John 1:48).The significance of Nathaniel's encounter with Jesus underscores themes of revelation and faith. His initial doubt reflects a common human response to spiritual truths, yet his eventual acceptance and recognition of Jesus as the Son of God highlights the transformative power of divine revelation. Nathaniel's story serves as an encouragement for believers to seek understanding and recognition of God's gifts, emphasizing that faith often grows from personal encounters with Christ (John 1:49).